Officer acquitted in use of force case to be on paid leave

DOVER, Del. (AP) — A white police officer in Delaware seen on video kicking a black suspect in the head and breaking his jaw will return to the force on paid administrative leave after being acquitted of assault.

Dover Police Chief Paul Bernat said in a statement Saturday that Cpl. Thomas Webster IV will return to the police department Sunday on paid administrative leave. Police spokesman Cpl. Mark Hoffman says Webster will undergo a psychological evaluation before a decision is made on whether he will return to full duty.

A jury deliberated for about 16 hours over three days before acquitting Webster Dec. 8. The jury also declined to convict Webster on a lesser charge of misdemeanor assault.